Stages of Stroke

Caregiver

“Stroke is a complicated picture because it may affect your loved one’s personality, her ability to pay attention and remember, or the way she expresses emotion,” says Barry Jacobs, Psy.D., a psychologist with Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program near Philadelphia and author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers (Guilford Press).

“Recovering from a stroke often isn’t a matter of days or week,” he adds. “It can take months, and in some cases, even years.”

To help your loved one cope and recover from a stroke, try these tips, he says.

Understand there may be cognitive, personality, language, communication and emotional changes.

Know that your loved one may become indifferent to family members if her emotional expression has been altered.

Take her to rehab and go with her to all doctor’s appointments. Take notes as the physician talks and ask questions she may have forgotten to ask. Your loved one may be too stressed out to listen and understand, or she may have suffered memory problems that interfere with effective communicating.

Learn to use available local resources such as nurses’ aides, home healthcare aides, church workers and senior daycare programs.

If you can no longer care for your loved one at home, don’t feel guilty about looking into outside options like nursing homes.

Remember that with a severe stroke, you’re not looking at a sprint but a marathon. Don’t take on too much too soon or wear yourself out early on. Let other people help you, and make sure to replenish yourself to prevent caregiver burnout.

The information contained on www.lifescript.com(the "Site") is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or health-care professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified health-care professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lifescript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Lifescript is solely at your own risk.